August 12th Satara to Lower Sabie continued
Bushpiggy was whining about being itchy and she’s like a piece of biltong, so when she starts to whine, there’s normally an issue.
Bushpiggy was covered in a rash, she was having an allergic reaction to something, which could have been the Pine Nut juice or the “sausage” from the Sausage tree that she was trying to crack open at Tshokwane. Supernova and Melly pulled up next to us and suggested that we make tracks to Skukuza in case things got worse.
A few minutes later, just past Leeupan, a yellow ribbon came past us, so I slammed on brakes and started to reverse. It was MG and SO.
We chatted between cars about sightings and our trips to date, but other cars started to arrive and Supernova hadn’t seen us stop and had continued on, so after a quick chat, we were on our way again. It’s a pity that we didn’t have more time as they seemed super cool.
Next up were a few ellies having a drink.
Bushpiggy was getting worse in the back, so I pushed it up to 50km/h, put the blinkers on and headed for Skukuza Day Visitors picnic spot, which was the closest spot where we could get out and get the medicine bag out of the back of the bakkie. After a dose of Allergex, we were back on the road again.
We then decided to pop in at Skukuza, go for an ice cream, use the loo, have a smoke and keep an eye on BP in case she needed the Dr. The 10ml of Allergex seemed to have put BP on a trip, because she was half asleep and very quiet. Supernova suggested that we should maybe use it more often and for more than just a rash.
An hour later BP’s rash was fading and although still goofed, she seemed better, so we headed off to Lower Sabie.
The first stretch of the H4-1 to the H12 produced hectic traffic again, but with nothing much to see, just the odd impala.
We did manage to snap this Fish Eagle, a firm favourite for the Cow.
In the S21 area we found a saddle bill
It was a beautifully hot day, but we were all very relieved when we finally arrived at Lower Sabie.
Book in went fine, with the ladies allowing us in a few minutes early. We were staying at Keartland, for our last 2 days and were all very excited, as it’s such a lovely place. We asked for an extra mattress for the Albert, who we had to pay an additional fee for, they promised to have one delivered. We’re still waiting.......
After all the unpacking etc was completed, it was time to just relax and enjoy the surroundings. The rats love exploring the fence and spotted quite a few animals with much excitement and hand waving. If you look carefully at the first pic you will find 2 giraffe on the opposite river bank.
When we first saw this ellie, he was having a feast on the opposite bank, but then decided to cross over for a closer inspection of the deck.
After a long day of travelling we were stuffed, so decided to do a very short afternoon drive.
It always amazes us how sightings on a specific road can change. One day it’s full of life and the next; there are hardly any animals around. This afternoon was one of those drives and the only thing we spotted halfway to Nkuhlu was this Giant Eagle Owl, so we decided to travel back past Lower Sabie for a few km to see if things improved further south.
The drive back was very quiet, but just before Lower Sabie we found 2 rhino and this little guy, looking very pensive.
About 4km past Lower Sabie I was ready to turn around, but a few seconds later a large traffic jam appeared and the adrenalin started pumping again.
We couldn’t see anything, but Supernova eventually informed us on the walkie talkie that it was a leopard with a kill. It was nearly dark, so it was getting more difficult by the minute.
Just ahead of us an elderly couple started waving at us so we pulled up next to them and they explained to us exactly what happened. The leopard had made the kill about 200 meters down the road and dragged it in the middle of the road to where it was now.
It was hiding in thick bush, but only about 15 meters off the road and I was getting very frustrated, because they could see it clearly and we couldn’t, so they kindly offered me their binoculars and said that I should pull up right next to them, what a difference. We managed to spot it straight away, but couldn’t get any damn photos, as the camera kept focusing on all the branches. The Cow did manage to get it on video though, but its looks like a black and white clip, because the sun had completely disappeared.
The awesome elderly couple now realized that they had invited a car over that had 3 wild rats in the back who also wanted to see, so after 2 minutes of the rats fighting for a window seat and a Cow’s greasing, the elderly couple excused themselves and headed off.
Time was up anyway, so still frustrated; we headed back to Lower Sabie.
We had a nasty surprise when we returned to Lower Sabie; the Cow tried to run the rat’s bath and discovered that there was no hot water in 2 bathrooms and the kitchen. Upon investigation we found what you see in the pic below, no geyser.
Fortunately the office was still open, but they had no idea of why there was no geyser. After a few calls maintenance confirmed that they were aware of the situation and that a new geyser would be fitted on Saturday.
To be continued
